Should "rather" be used in this context? [duplicate]

Solution 1:

On this site (personlongman) you will find quite a good clarification:

In general, rather has less force than quite. Rather means "somewhat, to a certain degree." Quite, in contrast, can mean "to a significant degree. " When someone is rather sad, the degree of sadness is less than if the person is quite sad.

So in the classification of your values, I would use quite innovative, since rather means what is already mentioned in nr 2 (Somewhat innovative).

Solution 2:

In these circumstances I suggest the meaning is:

rather = very; to a large degree

"Actually, I did rather well in my exams."

Cambridge dictionary

rather = in some degree : Somewhat

Merriam Webster

As such, the meaning is close to (and probably between) somewhat (= to a limited extent) and very (= to a large extent).

In some circumstances it may even mean slightly (= to a small extent). "You ate too much ice cream? That was rather silly of you wasn't it?"

I can think of no circumstance where rather means not or completely.

Consequently it is easy to suggest that rather sits in a rough hierarchy of meaning that ranges through not - slightly - somewhat - rather - very - thoroughly - completely. Others may place it rather (sic) differently in the range but it does not sit at the top or bottom of the range.